Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – The scope of offences leading to the death penalty has widened significantly this year. In the latest case, state media have reported the death sentence against an unidentified man for consensual sex. Extramarital relations are criminalised under the Islamic Republic’s laws which proscribe the death penalty for the married party. On the other hand, Supreme …

Al-Monitor – The head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) overseeing all American forces in the Middle East, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, met Wednesday in Tel Aviv with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, just two days after the Knesset adopted controversial legislation called the “Reasonableness Clause” eroding the powers of the Supreme Court and triggering concerns in Israel over the readiness of …

RFL/RE – What should have been a time of celebration of a young couple’s life journey has become a time of remembrance of the death of the “Groom of Mahabad.” It was one year ago that Zaniar Abubakri and his fiancee announced their engagement in a ceremony before friends and family. Videos on social media show the lovestruck 20-year-old nervously …

RFL/RE – Gholamali Koveitipor, an Iranian singer known for his support of the Islamic government and whose military anthems were a significant part of the Islamic republic’s propaganda during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, has released a song critical of the crackdown authorities have waged in the face of months of unrest. Released in tandem with the traditional mourning …

Iranwire – The Iranian judiciary has overturned the death sentence of 23-year-old protester Mohammad Qobadloo, his lawyer says, after the convict sent a distressing message from prison. “The sentence of Mohammad Qobadloo was overturned by Branch 1 of the Supreme Court,” Lawyer Amir Raisian said on his Twitter account on July 26.  “The case will now be referred back to …